A new swimming safety initiative has been launched to curb drowning incidents among fishing communities along Uganda’s lake shores.
The program, spearheaded by Reach A Hand Uganda, a non-governmental organisation, aims to equip residents with essential swimming skills and water safety knowledge.
A recent study by the Makerere University School of Public Health revealed alarming drowning statistics, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.
Fishing communities in Mayuge remain highly vulnerable, with many residents relying on the lake for their livelihoods despite lacking basic swimming skills.
“This training comes at a critical time,” said Dinah Tusabe, a representative of the initiative.
“Many pupils cross water daily to get to school, yet they lack the skills to navigate emergencies. We are here to change that.”
The campaign, dubbed Omanyi Okuwuga (Know How to Swim), is being rolled out in schools and community centres across the district.
Lead trainer Francis Muvunyi emphasized that the program goes beyond swimming lessons, aiming to shift attitudes toward water safety.
To reinforce the initiative, a training facility is being set up in Bwondha Town Council.
This centre will offer structured swimming lessons for schoolchildren and adults, ensuring that communities have access to life-saving skills.
Muvunyi has also urged local authorities to install warning signs along dangerous sections of the lake shores to further enhance safety.
Drowning remains Uganda’s leading water-related offence despite a slight decline in cases. The Uganda Police Annual Crime Report recorded 119 drowning incidents in 2024, a drop from 138 in 2023, yet it still accounted for 62% of all maritime offences.
Overall, maritime crimes rose by 8% to 190 cases in 2024, with robbery on the water (34 cases) being the second most common offence. Armed robbery and boat capsizing each recorded six incidents.
Lake Victoria remained the most dangerous water body, registering 73 drowning cases, followed by Lake Albert (14) and Lake Kyoga (13). The highest number of drowning deaths occurred in July (17 cases), while June had the lowest (four cases).
Authorities have yet to explain these seasonal variations, but they may be linked to weather patterns or increased water activity.
With drowning incidents claiming numerous lives over the years, residents have welcomed the intervention, hopeful that it will reduce tragedies and foster a culture where swimming is seen as an essential survival skill.
Uganda currently has one of the highest drowning rates globally, with 502 drowning deaths per 100,000 people, most of them from lakeside fishing communities.
This initiative, if successfully implemented, could mark a turning point in safeguarding lives along the country’s waterways.